North Carolina State Fair Folk Festival & Performing Arts

North Carolina State Fair Folk Festival & Performing Arts The Folk Festival was established in 1948 to preserve and promote music and dance from North Carolina

Love a good shout out from N.C. State Fair! We are excited to see you all again this year!Share with us some of your fav...
08/27/2026

Love a good shout out from N.C. State Fair! We are excited to see you all again this year!

Share with us some of your favorite moments in the comments.

🎶 Performer Spotlight: Little River CloggersWho might you see at the Fair this year? We’re shining a spotlight on the Li...
08/17/2026

🎶 Performer Spotlight: Little River Cloggers
Who might you see at the Fair this year? We’re shining a spotlight on the Little River Cloggers!
Based in Durham, North Carolina, the Little River Cloggers formed in 1995 and specialize in traditional dance styles of the Southern Appalachian Mountains, while also exploring contemporary clogging. They perform throughout the year at community events, festivals, fundraisers, and nursing homes—and have been a longtime part of the N.C. State Fair Folk Festival.

The group has even received the Ruth Jewell Trophy at the N.C. State Fair Folk Festival for the team that best exemplifies the historical and entertainment purposes of the Festival. In the 2025 Folk Festival results, Little River Cloggers also received the Annette Pulley Award, while the Little River Alumni Cloggers took Best of Show Adult in Heritage Dance.

👢 Traditional roots. Energetic performances. North Carolina pride.
Keep an eye out for the Little River Cloggers at the 2026 N.C. State Fair, October 15–25!

Learn more about the Little River Cloggers: www.littlerivercloggers.org

📣 WE NEED YOUR HELP! 🎭🎶💃Not everyone knows about the North Carolina State Fair Folk Festival & Performing Arts — and we ...
08/13/2026

📣 WE NEED YOUR HELP! 🎭🎶💃

Not everyone knows about the North Carolina State Fair Folk Festival & Performing Arts — and we want to change that!

This year, the Folk Festival & Performing Arts has something for everyone, from traditional music and clogging to contemporary dance, vocal performances, theater, poetry, storytelling, musical theater, and more!

We'd love your help getting the word out. 💚
👩‍🏫 Teachers & professors — share this with your students and performing arts departments.
💃 Dance studios & instructors — tell your dancers!
🎶 Music teachers, band directors & choir directors — share with your ensembles!
🎭 Theater programs & drama teachers — let your performers know about our NEW Dramatic Arts divisions!
🏘️ Community organizations & performing groups — help us reach performers who may not know this opportunity exists.

📅 Registration Deadline: September 15, 2026 at 11:59 PM
⏰ Registration is first come, first served!
📝 Register:
https://ncsfge.fairwire.com/
ℹ️ Competition Information, Rules & Divisions:
https://www.ncagr.gov/divisions/nc-state-fair/competitions/general-competitions/folk-festival-performing-arts

📢 The best way to help? SHARE THIS POST!
You never know who in your network might be a singer, dancer, musician, actor, storyteller, poet, or part of a performing arts group who would love the opportunity to take the stage at the North Carolina State Fair!

Let's make sure the performers who are looking for an opportunity know that there's a place for them here. 🌟

📣 CALLING ALL MUSIC, DANCE, THEATER & BAND TEACHERS! 🎶💃🎭Are you a professor, teacher, instructor, director, or educator ...
08/12/2026

📣 CALLING ALL MUSIC, DANCE, THEATER & BAND TEACHERS! 🎶💃🎭

Are you a professor, teacher, instructor, director, or educator who works with musicians, dancers, actors, singers, or performing arts groups?

We'd love your help spreading the word about the North Carolina State Fair Folk Festival & Performing Arts Competition! 🌟

This year, we've expanded our competition opportunities to include a wide variety of traditional and contemporary music, dance, and NEW Dramatic Arts divisions.

🎶 Music & Band
💃 Dance
🎭 Dramatic Arts

Whether you teach elementary, middle school, high school, college, private lessons, studio classes, community programs, or performing arts organizations, your students may have an opportunity to take the stage at the North Carolina State Fair!
📅 Registration Deadline: September 15, 2026, at 11:59 PM
⏰ Registration is first come, first served, so encourage your students and groups to register early!
📝 Register:
https://ncsfge.fairwire.com/
ℹ️ Competition Information, Rules & Divisions:
https://www.ncagr.gov/divisions/nc-state-fair/competitions/general-competitions/folk-festival-performing-arts

👩‍🏫 Teachers & professors: Please share this with your students, ensembles, classes, departments, and fellow educators!
You know your students' talents better than anyone. Help us give them the opportunity to perform, compete, and share their talents on the North Carolina State Fair stage! 🎡🎶🎭

Tag a music teacher, band director, dance instructor, theater professor, choir director, or performing arts educator who needs to see this!

🌟 There's Something for Everyone at the North Carolina State Fair Folk Festival & Performing Arts! 🌟Whether you've been ...
08/06/2026

🌟 There's Something for Everyone at the North Carolina State Fair Folk Festival & Performing Arts! 🌟

Whether you've been performing for years or are looking for your first opportunity to take the stage, there's a place for you at the North Carolina State Fair Folk Festival & Performing Arts Competition!

🎶 Musicians
From traditional Appalachian and bluegrass to contemporary bands, solo instrumentalists, and vocal groups.
🎤 Singers
Soloists, choirs, show choirs, a ca****la groups, and vocal ensembles are all welcome!
💃 Dancers
Clogging, ballet, jazz, tap, contemporary, country line dance, ethnic dance, interpretive dance, novelty dance, and more.
🎭 Performers
Take center stage with poetry, storytelling, monologues, duo scenes, and musical theater performances.
🌍 Celebrate Culture & Tradition

Share your heritage through traditional music, dance, storytelling, and cultural performances while helping preserve the traditions that make North Carolina so unique.

There's a competition division waiting for you!

📅 Registration Deadline: September 15, 2026
Registration is first come, first served, so don't wait to secure your performance time!

📝 Register today:
https://ncsfge.fairwire.com/
ℹ️ Competition information, rules, and divisions:
https://www.ncagr.gov/divisions/nc-state-fair/competitions/general-competitions/folk-festival-performing-arts

💚 Know someone who would love to perform? Tag them below or share this post! We'd love to welcome them to this year's North Carolina State Fair Folk Festival & Performing Arts Competition.

We can't wait to celebrate the incredible talent, creativity, and traditions that make our communities so special.

See you at the Fair! 🎡🎶💃🎭

🎻 Heritage Lives Here. Traditions Continue Here. 💚For generations, the North Carolina State Fair Folk Festival has been ...
08/06/2026

🎻 Heritage Lives Here. Traditions Continue Here. 💚

For generations, the North Carolina State Fair Folk Festival has been a place where music, dance, and storytelling traditions are shared, celebrated, and passed on to the next generation. From family bands and clogging teams to solo performers and community groups, our stage has become a home for North Carolina's rich cultural heritage.

Each year, we're honored to welcome back many familiar faces, including performers such as Little River Cloggers, Little River Alumni Cloggers, Johnny WIllaims & The Grass Tank Band, Leftover Biscuits, Grains of Time, Ladies in Red, Rhythm Express Cloggers, The Kudzu Ramblers, Washboard Ray, Graceful Expressions Storytellers, Starpath Dance Academy, Dancers With Wings Studio and many more!

Their passion and dedication help keep these traditions alive while inspiring new generations of performers.

🎶 Whether you perform traditional folk music...
💃 Dance with a clogging team or cultural dance group...
🎤 Sing with your choir or band...
🎭 Share stories through theater or spoken word...

There's a place for you at the North Carolina State Fair Folk Festival & Performing Arts!
We invite new and returning performers to join us this year and become part of a tradition that continues to grow while celebrating the diverse performing arts found across North Carolina.

📅 Registration Deadline: September 15, 2026
📝 Register today:
https://ncsfge.fairwire.com/
ℹ️ Learn more:
https://www.ncagr.gov/divisions/nc-state-fair/competitions/general-competitions/folk-festival-performing-arts
💚 Have you performed with us before? Tell us what year you participated or share a favorite memory in the comments! We'd love to hear your story—and if you know someone who should experience the Folk Festival for the first time, tag them below and invite them to join us this year.

🎡 We’re STILL Hiring! Join the North Carolina State Fair Folk Festival & Performing Arts Team! 🎭🎶Do you enjoy music, dan...
08/05/2026

🎡 We’re STILL Hiring!

Join the North Carolina State Fair Folk Festival & Performing Arts Team! 🎭🎶

Do you enjoy music, dance, theater, community events, and working with people?

We’re looking for an Assistant to help support the North Carolina State Fair Folk Festival & Performing Arts during this year’s State Fair!

This seasonal position is a great opportunity to:
✨ Support performers and participants
✨ Help with event setup, scheduling, and daily operations
✨ Work behind the scenes at one of North Carolina’s favorite traditions
✨ Be part of a fun, fast-paced team celebrating the arts and community

📅 Interested? Please reach out by August 31 to allow time to complete the employment application process before the Fair.

Know someone who would be a great fit? Please share this post! We’d love to connect with someone who enjoys the arts, organization, teamwork, and creating a positive experience for performers and guests.

📧 Send us a message for more information or to apply!

Spread the word!🎤 Think the Folk Festival is only bluegrass and clogging? Think again!The North Carolina State Fair Folk...
08/05/2026

Spread the word!🎤 Think the Folk Festival is only bluegrass and clogging? Think again!

The North Carolina State Fair Folk Festival & Performing Arts has expanded to welcome more than folk music!
Whether you're a solo artist, part of a band, vocal group, or a ca****la ensemble, there's a place for you to perform on the State Fair stage.

🎶 Novelty & Contemporary Music Divisions Include:
🎸 Instrumental Solo
🥁 Group Instrumental
🎤 Vocal Solo
🎵 Group Vocals (Non-School)
🏫 Group Vocals (School)
🎼 NEW! A Ca****la

From pop and rock to jazz, country, R&B, contemporary, original music, and more, we want to showcase the incredible musical talent found across North Carolina and beyond!

Performers have the opportunity to earn ribbons, cash premiums, and Best of Show awards while performing on the North Carolina State Fair stage. 🏆

📅 Registration Deadline: Tuesday, September 15, 2026, at 11:59 PM

⏰ Registration is first come, first served, so don't wait to reserve your preferred performance time! (NC Agriculture)

🎼 Competition Information, Rules & Divisions:
https://www.ncagr.gov/divisions/nc-state-fair/competitions/general-competitions/folk-festival-performing-arts
📝 Register Online:
https://ncsfge.fairwire.com/

🎶 Know a local band, choir, singer-songwriter, jazz ensemble, a ca****la group, music teacher, or vocalist? Tag them below or share this post! Help us spread the word and showcase the amazing musical talent our communities have to offer.

✨ Stay tuned!

****la

🎭 Calling All Actors, Storytellers, Poets, and Performers! 🎭Did you know the North Carolina State Fair Folk Festival & P...
08/04/2026

🎭 Calling All Actors, Storytellers, Poets, and Performers! 🎭

Did you know the North Carolina State Fair Folk Festival & Performing Arts has expanded to include NEW Dramatic Arts competitions?

Whether you're a student, community theater performer, spoken word artist, musical theater enthusiast, or part of a show choir, we invite you to take the stage and share your talent during the 2026 North Carolina State Fair!

✨ New Dramatic Arts Divisions Include:
🎙️ Poetry Performance (spoken word, slam poetry, traditional, or original works)
📖 Storytelling (folktales, personal narratives, cultural and heritage stories)
🎭 Monologue Performance
🎬 Duo Scene Performance
🎶 Musical Theater Performance
🎤 Show Choir & Glee Club Performances

This competition is open to performers of all ages, with divisions for youth and adults. Whether you're an experienced performer or looking for a new opportunity to showcase your creativity, we'd love to have you join us!

📅 Registration Deadline: Tuesday, September 15, 2026, at 11:59 PM. Registration is first come, first served, and performance time slots fill quickly.

🎟️ Know a drama teacher, theater student, homeschool group, community theater, speech team, or show choir? Tag them in the comments or share this post! Help us spread the word so more performers can experience the excitement of performing at the North Carolina State Fair.

For complete rules, division information, and online registration, visit the North Carolina State Fair Folk Festival & Performing Arts page. https://www.ncagr.gov/divisions/nc-state-fair/competitions/general-competitions/folk-festival-performing-arts

We can't wait to celebrate North Carolina's incredible talent with you this October! 🌟

BIG UPDATE!!🎉 The North Carolina State Fair Folk Festival & Performing Arts Competition Has Expanded!🎭🎶💃Earlier this yea...
08/04/2026

BIG UPDATE!!

🎉 The North Carolina State Fair Folk Festival & Performing Arts Competition Has Expanded!🎭🎶💃

Earlier this year we announced that the North Carolina State Fair Folk Festival grew into the North Carolina State Fair Folk Festival & Performing Arts, offering more opportunities than ever for performers to take the stage during the 2026 North Carolina State Fair and beyond!

Whether you're a musician, singer, dancer, actor, poet, storyteller, or part of a performance group, we invite you to showcase your talent in one of our many competition divisions.

🌟 Heritage Dance
Celebrate traditional dance styles from North Carolina and around the world.
* Traditional Free-Style Clogging
* Precision Clogging
* Traditional Smooth Dance
* Clogging Line
* Clogging Duo/Duet
* Individual Clogging (Male & Female)
* Miscellaneous Clogging Routines
* NEW! Global Folk Dance (Showcase)
* NEW! Indigenous Dance (Showcase)

🎻 Heritage Music
Celebrate Appalachian and traditional music.
* Instrumental Solo
* Group Instrumental
* Vocal Solo
* Group Vocals (Non-School)
* Group Vocals (School)

💃 NEW! Novelty & Contemporary Dance
* Jazz & Tap
* Ballet
* Country Line Dance
* Interpretive Dance
* Ethnic Dance
* Novelty Dance
* Contemporary Dance

🎵 NEW! Novelty & Contemporary Music
For performances outside of traditional folk styles.
* Instrumental Solo
* Group Instrumental
* Vocal Solo
* Group Vocals (Non-School)
* Group Vocals (School)
* A Ca****la

🎭 NEW! Dramatic Arts
* Poetry Performance
* Storytelling Performance
* Monologue Performance
* Duo Scene Performance
* Musical Theater Performance
* Show Choir/Glee Club Performance

📅 Registration Deadline: Tuesday, September 15, 2026, at 11:59 PM
⏰ Registration is first come, first served, and performance time slots are limited, so don't wait!

🔗 Learn more about the competition:
https://www.ncagr.gov/divisions/nc-state-fair/competitions/general-competitions/folk-festival-performing-arts
📝 Register here:
https://ncsfge.fairwire.com/

📣 Stay tuned! We'll be featuring each competition category with more details, performance ideas, eligibility information, and tips for participants. If you know a musician, dancer, actor, poet, storyteller, choir director, drama teacher, dance studio, or performing arts organization that might be interested, please tag them in the comments or share this post to help spread the word!

We can't wait to celebrate the incredible talent and creativity of performers from across North Carolina and beyond this October at the North Carolina State Fair! 🌟

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Raleigh, NC

Opening Hours

Monday 10am - 9pm
Tuesday 10am - 9pm
Wednesday 10am - 9pm
Thursday 10am - 9pm
Friday 10am - 9pm
Saturday 10am - 9pm
Sunday 12pm - 9pm

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